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First of all, let's get the introductions out of the way (all hail Wikipedia!): "Twitter is a social networking and micro-blogging service that allows its users to send and read other users' updates (known as tweets), which are text-based posts of up to 140 characters in length".

Imagine the best thing about Facebook - the humble status update - without all that other crap dragging you down. Twitter is quick, Twitter is simple, and with all the recent media attention (thanks, Stephen Fry) there has never been a better time to jump onboard. And when you do, here's 27 ways to engage.

But those who've already taken the plunge know it can be a desolate place if you've got no mates. And a boring one. So we've compiled a list of the 21 artists, rockstars and musicians who are actually worth following. They're the Twitter-elite with something to say – whether it's an insightful peak into their lives on the road, the latest studio sessions or what they've just eaten for breakfast.

And don't pretend you're not interested in the latter…

21. Chris Cornell
Reads like a list of interesting observations: "I just saw a squadron of helicopters. They look scary in a group. Nothing positive is happening when helicopters are in groups".

20. Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit)
Fred: "How about MyFace and SpaceBook?" Need we say more?

19. Pete Wentz (Fall Out Boy)
Pete probably tried to set this up anonymously, hence the clever backward username (ztnewetep) and the rather strange bio: "Not really trying to be found. Being lost is kind of too teenage though. It's more on the lamb now."

18. Britney Spears
Among the management/PR Tweets are a few gems from the fallen Princess Of Pop herself. Is it really her? Who knows. Who cares? "I had a nice, restful evening and got a great massage last night. ~Brit"

17. P Diddy
If this is the real P Diddy, it's exactly the kind of peep-show we've been praying for for all these years: "Taken a bubble bath holdin a Oscar!! God is great let's go people".

16. Chris Cain (We Are Scientists)
Random thoughts on anything that comes to mind. Dig deep and there's some music-related Tweetage in there somewhere.

15. Mike Skinner (The Streets)
Mike sometimes mistakes his Twitter feed for a private diary of lyrics: "Mayhems car is full of sand, Ferrero Rocher and empty beer cans."

14. Neil Diamond
Lots of Tweets about hugs and sunshine in LA: "I made someone's dream come true with a hug. Life is good (and the sun shines in L.A.)". See?

13. Hot Hot Heat
Extra brownie points for posting studio shots to TwitPic.

12. Jamie Cullum
Live Tweeting from the Brits after-party is very cool: "Gary Barlow sang Back For Good with Coldplay who managed to play it without a trace of irony."

11. Stuart Braithwaite (Mogwai)
The guitarist just seems to get what it's all about - opinion: "Just saw some 'reviews' of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' album by folks who'd listened to 5 songs illegally. F*ck the internet. Seriously".

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